Perseus’ story started when his mother, Danae, got locked in the tower by her father because of an oracle that predicted his death by Danae’s future son. Zeus, the god of the sky, saw Danae and fell in love with her. Nine months later, she bore a child named Perseus. When the king discovered his daughter bore a son, just as the oracle foretold, he was in terror and needed to get rid of …show more content…
them. Not wanting to slay his daughter in cold blood, he sealed Danae and Perseus in a chest and cast them into the sea, hopeful the chest would sink.
As the oracle predicted, Danae and Perseus survived and washed up on the island of Seriphus. Dicys, the brother of Polydectes the king discovered them and brought them to his home. Dictys taught Perseus the ways of life as he grew into a man. When Perseus was a grown man, Dictys brought Perseus and Danae to the kingdom. Polydectes saw Danae and fell in love with her, almost like a light switch flipping on. He desired her hand in marriage and a short time later, they got married. At the reception, Perseus realized he didn’t have anything to provide as a present. Polydectes, who despised Perseus, told him to fetch him the head of Medusa, the eldest Gorgon. Medusa was covered in golden scales and had snakes for hair, if you looked at her, you would turn to stone. Perseus accepted the challenge and Polydectes knew his malevolent plan would succeed.
The following day, Perseus set off for Medusa’s cave. On the way to Perseus’ destination, he met Hermes and Athena. Knowing Perseus would need assistance, Hermes decided to accompany him to the cave. On the way to the cave Perseus encountered the Gorgon’s three sisters, Graeae. They only had one eye and tooth between them. As they were switching the eye to each other, Perseus grabbed it and demanded they helped him with his quest. “They helped him acquire a pair of winged sandals, a wallet or satchel, and the cap of Hades; the sandals enabled him to fly, the satchel was to carry the Gorgon's head, and the cap conferred invisibility on its wearer” (Hunter).
Once he got to the cave and found Medusa sleeping “Perseus guided himself by her reflection in a shield given him by Athena and beheaded Medusa as she slept.” (Britannica) He put her lifeless head in the satchel and Medusa’s sisters woke up. Perseus put Hades’ cap on and became invisible. He put the shoes on and flew away back to Seriphus. On his way home, he went to Africa and encountered Atlas. They fought and during the struggle, he used Medusa’s head to turn Atlas to stone, creating the Atlas Mountains. Once he arrived home, he found that Polydectes was abusing his mother.
Perseus went to Polydectes, as he was on his throne and showed him Medusa’s head. Polydectes instantly turned to stone like hot water being thrown in the frigged cold. Perseus finally saved his mother from Polydectes. Perseus gave the head of Medusa to Athena and she placed it on her shield. “He accompanied his mother back to her native Argos, where he accidentally struck her father, Acrisius, dead when throwing the discus, thus fulfilling the prophecy that he would kill his grandfather.” (Britannica) The Perseus legend is still famous today because of its value. Every Greek Myth is famous but this stands out because of the traits Perseus showed. He shows bravery because he was the only one that could kill Medusa, who is the most historical vicious enemy. Trickery because without it, Perseus wouldn’t have had the tools to assist him. Kindness because he helped the people in Africa and saved them from Atlas. Lastly, Humanity because he felt horrible for accidently killing his
grandfather. Perseus is a legend in Greek mythology for being the only one that could kill Medusa. He was the only one out of the countless men that have tried to kill Medusa. He was just a ordinary man that tried to make his father-in-law and bring the best gift for his mother who he loved dearly. Perseus’ quest could not have been complete without the help of Hermes and Athena’s guidance. So what could of happened if Hermes and Athena did nothing and he would of did it alone?